THE company behind a popular Whitehaven bar has gone into liquidation – owing nearly £224,000.

The Yellow Earl Ltd, which has been trading from Lowther Street since December 2016, appointed a voluntary liquidator earlier this month.

A total of £223,932 is owed to creditors, with £155,094 outstanding to HMRC in VAT, corporation tax, and payroll.

The company also owes £44,865 in a government Bounce Back loan, which enabled smaller businesses to access finance during the coronavirus pandemic. Copeland Borough Council is owed £9,000.

The Yellow Earl remains open and is now being run under new management. 

A spokesperson for The Yellow Earl in Whitehaven said: "The Yellow Earl team would like to confirm that we are open for business as usual, and all private events, table bookings and gigs are going ahead as usual.

"The Yellow Earl has been operating under a new management company since November 2022. We look forward to welcoming everyone as the busy summer season kicks in."

Documents published through Companies House show a special resolution was passed on April 18 and signed by director of The Yellow Earl Ltd, Danny Maudling, that the company would be wound up voluntarily. 

Daryl Warwick and Mike Kienlen of Armstrong Watson were named as joint liquidators on May 3 and the registered office was changed to Armstrong Watson in Carlisle.